A few days ago, I was being going through a time of teaching and I felt like my mind was getting in the way of what God wanted to show me. It was like my thoughts and emotions were not agreeing with the truths He was revealing in my heart. Thankfully, after some moments of mental tug-of-war, the Lord delivered me out of this.
And I saw a vision that my heart had already been purified. It had already been cleansed and washed pure by the blood. I was in line with His Spirit, and my heart was crying out, "Father!" (Romans 8:15)
My mind, on the other hand, was still conforming to the world. It was getting in the way of Kingdom reality. It was not willing to go deeper into the word. I had become, to quote Bill Johnson again (his new book is great!), "intellectually offended". My mind was thrown into doubt because I could not logically conceptualize what the Holy Spirit wanted to show me.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
And I saw a vision that my heart had already been purified. It had already been cleansed and washed pure by the blood. I was in line with His Spirit, and my heart was crying out, "Father!" (Romans 8:15)
My mind, on the other hand, was still conforming to the world. It was getting in the way of Kingdom reality. It was not willing to go deeper into the word. I had become, to quote Bill Johnson again (his new book is great!), "intellectually offended". My mind was thrown into doubt because I could not logically conceptualize what the Holy Spirit wanted to show me.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16
So we know that God knows all things. That's an awesome concept. The more God teaches us, the more we need to yield to His Spirit. The deepest revelations that God can give usually make the least sense along natural lines. Just look at the Book of Revelation itself, for example! We need to acquire a heavenly wisdom and heavenly truth. And praise God we already have this, but in order to access it we need to yield to Him. We need to yield our preconceived ideas and our own opinions. We need to give up the worldly wisdom that we thought we had.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS." So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you.
1 Corinthians 3:19-20
So let's give up the hindrances within our minds. Friendship with the world is contrary to God, and so is adapting the mindsets of the world (James 4:4) We also need to give up our fear. God won't despise us for coming to Him with a broken spirit (Psalms 51:17). We need to give up our worries and live in the moment. Change can and often does cause fear and worry, but we need to respond to the Lord's teachings in faith. As Jesus would say, "Why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). The one who can accept a new message should accept it. (Matthew 19:12) Lord, let me be that one!
Sometimes revelation can be scary. Sometimes a new thing can be perceived as impure, only because of it's novelty. Sometimes we doubt that God is faithful, if we ask for a gift of revelation, to give us that rather than a snake (Luke 11:11). Sometimes we need to receive faith to accompany our gifts.
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17
The more faith we have, the more we can hear Him. And the more He can teach us. And the more He can share wisdom. We need to receive new wineskins to accommodate these gifts (Matthew 9:17)
When He gives revelation, we make sure it testifies to Jesus, then we accept it in our hearts. Don't let your mind overshadow the Divine Mind of God!! Don't let your idea of spirituality limit His Spirit. Don't let where you're at currently detract from where He wants to take you.
It's time to get ourselves out of God's way. It's time to discern with a softened heart and guidance from His Spirit. It's time to stop judging based on the inhibitions of our human minds. It's time to take God for His Word and be conformed to the world no longer (Romans 12:2). Let's be taken together into a place where fresh revelation and the spirit of wisdom are plentiful (Ephesians 1:17)
Confirmed: Later on in the day when God gave me this vision, I was reading a Joyce Meyer book called, "Battlefield of the Mind". In it she emphasized being led by your HEART, not by your mind or doubts. If we have received from the Father a softened heart, then our heart's feelings are what we need. We don't need to go by our minds, which are so vulnerable to the lies of the our accuser.
Confirmed: Several messages recently have come to me that stress the importance of our hearts. From Facebook memes--yes, God can work through Facebook--to the forums over at the Quickened Word, God has been faithful to keep confirming to me His original message.
Confirmed: A good friend sent me an email that included a prayer for forgiveness, again, on the very same day that I received the vision. I don't actually get emails like this very much. Below are a few short excerpts, in italics. I bolded the most confirming parts.
Meditate on the truth of who God is and who you are in Him:
Take into your heart and spirit scriptures about God's forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love. Psalm 103 is a good place to start.
Take an objective view of your past to learn from your failure. What did you learn about yourself and God through this experience?
Allow God to expose the wound for His healing touch, and refuse the attempts of the accuser and destroyer to harass you anymore, because the King of glory stands as your Defender and Advocate.
...Thank You that You control me, not my emotions or what others say or do. I receive all Your blessings for my life and give You all praise, honor, and glory.
God makes the best stories, He paints the best pictures, and He teaches the best teachings. He is teaching us new things. Will we receive them. Let's pray ourselves into alignment with the Word:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." Ephesians 1:17
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